Prince Charles to be patron of Dylan Thomas year-long celebration

Prince Charles shelters from the heavy rain as he leaves the childhood home and birthplace of the famous Welsh poet Dylan Thomas this afternoon. The semi detached house in Cwmdonkin Drive in the Upland district of Swansea (which the Prince toured) has been restored to how it would have been back in Dylan's day.

PRINCE Charles will be patron of DT100, the year-long celebration in 2014 to commemorate the centenary of Dylan Thomas, author of Under Milk Wood.

The announcement was made during the Prince's visit to 5 Cwmdonkin Drive - the poet's birthplace.

His Royal Highness was shown around the famous house by its custodian, Geoff Haden.

"We could not stop him talking!" said Mr Haden. "He over-stayed his time by about 20 minutes.

"I suggested that he read Dylan's poetry to his unborn grandchild - he thought it was a great idea."

The prince also met, among others, Dylan's granddaughter Hannah Ellis, chairman of the Dylan Thomas Society, Jeff Townes, and Jean Lannigan, the daughter of the maid to the Dylan household, Emily Simpson.

Mr Haden and his wife Anne took over the house in 2005 and opened it on October 27, 2008.